One of the reasons the Bible is so captivating is because it was written by people who were living out the stories they wrote. It was written by shepherds, tent makers, kings, and cupbearers. They simply told their stories.
Stories are most powerful when
the author’s genuine emotions flow out of the words. If you read my last post on the 23rd Psalm, you can feel David’s struggle in the lyrics of that beautiful song. The words are inspired by the spirit but spoken from the author’s heart.
Our stories may be different than David’s. He struggled with treachery, violence, and hunger. My circumstances are much safer and tend to involve a need for belonging and love. Psalms are born out of finding freedom, so as believers, we all have a song inside us.
Easy to say, but does it work? I decided to put myself to the test.
Not knowing how to start, I decided to follow David’s format. I broke it into four elements. Place of peace, emotional struggle, God’s response and vision of hope.
I am an engineer and love to follow a formula. That may not make for great literature but its a starting point.
My place of peace
When I am under stress, my dreams drift back to my childhood home in Nashville. I find myself once again standing in the large room that formed the kitchen and dining areas or with sunshine on my shoulders walking out in the yard. I was at peace then because my family loved and accepted me. I didn’t worry and with the faith fo a child, I trusted that all my needs would be met.
My emotional struggle
I struggle with feelings that nobody cares about me because I am not worth their attention. Even when people embrace me, I fear that tomorrow will bring loneliness again.
God’s response
God marks me as his own. When I need to be reminded that I am worthy, he gives me glimpses of how he sees me. By my faith and his design, people can see him in me.
My vision of hope
I want to be used by God and leave a legacy everywhere I go.
It is difficult to admit my weakness but more amazing that God loves me anyway. When I mix David’s elements with my images, my song pours out the same way that his must have.
My Psalm
The Trinity has adopted me into their family, I found belonging.
Pictures of us together surround me as we relax and share stories about our day. They teach me the family business and bring peace to my soul.
Dark forces swirl, shining lights on my failures, hissing that I am nobody, but I know who I am.
The spirit rests on me, my brother stands at my side, and my Father tells the world that he is pleased with me. He grants me the authority of his name. Our family resemblance cannot be denied and my heart overflows.
Life and love forever mark my footprints as I walk through my Father’s kingdom.
My Conclusion
Certainly, my psalm is no replacement for the 23rd Psalm. It doesn’t even look similar. That’s OK. My place of peace, struggles, and hopes are as unique as my fingerprint.
I found joy in speaking my fears out loud and praising God for lifting me above them.
I had never considered several of the images that came out. The concept of a “family resemblance” was new for me, but is encouraging.
I don’t expect everyone to love it, but I am as excited to show my Father as a child racing into the room with a crayon drawing for the refrigerator. And that pleases him.
The Bible isn’t a storybook. It is alive and intended to guide us. Psalms are awesome, but maybe they are intended as a guide to help us write our own.
When you are sad, or joyful, amazed or scared, try writing it down. Maybe a phrase or two will turn into something longer. Maybe the spirit will guide your words. You won’t know until you try.
